State of Maryland

A Plumber is the full performance level of work repairing, installing and maintaining plumbing systems, pipes and other plumbing fixtures in State institutions, hospitals and facilities.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a Maintenance Supervisor or other designated higher-level maintenance staff.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Plumber is differentiated from the Plumber Supervisor in that the Plumber performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision while the Plumber Supervisor has supervisory responsibility for Plumbers. 

Installs, repairs and maintains plumbing systems, fixtures and equipment for water, heating, air conditioning, sewer and drainage systems such as pipes, fittings, pumps, valves, steam converters, water closets, heat coils and steam traps;

Installs, makes plumbing repairs to and maintains appliances such as sinks, water heaters, washing machines, sterilizers, dish washers, ice machines and water coolers;

Repairs and maintains plumbing by replacing washers in leaking faucets, replacing broken pipes, opening clogged drains and underground sewer lines;

Reviews blueprints, schematics, plans and drawings to determine the location of pipes and water lines and updates these documents to reflect modifications to the plumbing system;

Plans layout of plumbing system using blueprints and ensures that installation is in compliance with codes and specifications;

Measures, cuts, threads and replaces pipes, control valves and couplings using wrenches, pipe cutters and pipe-threading tools;

Fills pipe system with water, observes pressure gauges attached to pipes and adjusts control valves to produce desired pressure;

Inspects pipe system to detect leaks and corrosion;

Welds, solders and brazes pipe joints;

Covers pipes with insulating materials or protective coatings to reduce loss of heat and to prevent moisture condensation and corrosion;

Reviews work orders to estimate time, materials and equipment required to complete work project;

Completes work orders and maintenance logs to track and document work performed and to record time and materials used;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the use of the tools, materials and methods of the plumbing trade;

Knowledge of the requirements for domestic water and waste disposal systems;

Knowledge of State, federal and local plumbing codes, laws, rules and, regulations;

Skill in the use of plumbing tools, materials and methods;

Ability to install, repair and maintain sanitary plumbing systems, fixtures, pipes and appliances;

Ability to understand and interpret drawings and specifications;

Ability to understand, carry out and give directions.

Education:   Completion of the Eighth grade.

Experience: Two years experience as a journeyman plumber, one year of which includes installing and repairing sanitary plumbing appliances.

Note: Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in utilities repair classifications or construction and engineering specialty codes in the plumbing field of work, on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Candidates for this classification must possess a Maryland Journeyman/Gas Fitter License.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit A- Labor and Trades classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial, and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining. Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime, as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.